What is Acute Renal Failure?

The kidneys are so beautifully organized; they do their work of regulation with such a positively divine precision, such knowledge and wisdom, that there is no reason why our archetypal man, whoever he is, or any one else, for that matter, should be ashamed to own a pair." ---Aldus Huxley "Antic Hay"

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Acute Renal Failure (ARF) is, simply put, a sudden loss of or decline in kidney function. It occurs when the kidneys stop working over a period of hours, days, or in some cases, weeks. The term Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is preferred and used synonymously with acute renal failure.

The bean shaped organs, called kidneys need to be 'full of beans' to carry out the crucial task of filtering body waste and maintaining electrolyte levels in the blood. Malfunction of the kidneys could lead to accumulation of waste products, fluids and electrolytes in the body, which could gravely endanger life.

Acute Renal Failure is diagnosed clinically by a sharp increase of the serum creatinine level from baseline (i.e., an increase of at least 0.5 mg/dl) and/or if the urine output is less than 400 ml per day (oliguria), though not strictly applicable for ARF.

Acute Renal Failure complicates about 5-7% of all hospital admissions. The presence of ARF in hospitalized patients also significantly increases the risk of mortality in these patients. The prognosis may be bleak if ARF is accompanied with complicated medical conditions or surgical conditions.

The answer is yes. The most important way in which ARF is different from Chronic Kidney Disease is that ARF is reversible if early diagnosis and treatment takes place whereas in CKD there is a permanent loss of kidney function.

Acute Renal Failure is often the consequence of any untoward experience the body is subjected to; for instance  blood loss due to surgery, or medicine overdose or any injury to the body.

Who are Affected by Acute Renal Failure?

Acute Renal Failure (ARF) occurs most often in people who are already hospitalized for other medical conditions.

ARF develops from 5% to 7% of all patients in the hospital. Of those hospitalized in intensive or critical care units, up to 30% develop ARF. Factors that increase a person's risk of Acute Renal Failure include advanced age, chronic renal insufficiency, liver disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, and obesity.

People undergoing heart surgery and abdominal surgery also have an increased risk. ARF can also occur in normal healthy people who indiscriminately use pain-killers, specifically, NSAIDs and some other prescription medicines and alterative therapies.

Urinary tract obstruction like in tumors, stones, inflammation within the urinary tract like both ureters or bladder or an enlarged prostate gland.

What are the Causes of Acute Renal Failure?

When ARF occurs, waste products, such as nitrogen or salt, and excess fluids are not removed by the kidneys and builds up in the body, upsetting the body's normal chemical balance.

Chemicals and electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, which are needed for normal body functioning, become harmful or sometimes poisonous (toxic) to the body when they reach abnormally high or low levels.

What are the Symptoms of Acute Renal Failure?

Symptoms of Acute Renal Failure depend on the cause of the problem. Acute Renal Failure cannot be diagnosed exclusively based on the following symptoms. Symptoms may include:

Increased potassium in the blood - due to inability to filter and excrete the electrolytes properly.

How is Acute Renal Failure Diagnosed?

Acute Renal Failure is usually diagnosed using blood and urine tests to monitor kidney function. Tests may include:

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN),

Serum creatinine,

Complete blood count (CBC),

And an Urinalysis.

A chemistry screen may be used to look for abnormalities in electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and calcium. Sometimes a kidney biopsy may be required to diagnose the cause of renal failure.

How do you Treat Acute Renal Failure?

The treatment of Acute Renal Failure depends on the cause and may include:

Correcting the underlying cause of kidney failure, such as dehydration or medication toxicity.

Preventing other complications, such as infection or fluid or electrolyte imbalances.

What is the Prognosis of Acute Renal Failure?

Acute Renal Failure (ARF) can usually be reversed, but it can also cause permanent loss of kidney function leading to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Older adults and people who have other serious medical conditions are less likely to recover from ARF and its complications. Patients who have been treated for ARF and recovered need to be followed up to prevent onset of chronic kidney disease.

In some cases, the Acute Renal Failure (ARF) causes severe damage to the kidney wherein a transplant may be required. This condition is termed as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

What is Recovery from Acute Renal Failure Like?

Kidney function may quickly return to normal if the cause of Acute Renal Failure (ARF) is diagnosed and corrected. ARF may be corrected within a few days, or it may last for more than a month. Chances of recovery from ARF depend on many factors, including what caused the ARF, how severe and prolonged it was, how quickly the problem was recognized and treated, and what other medical conditions the person has.

Acute Renal Failure caused by dehydration, blood loss, or obstruction in the urinary system is rapidly reversed. About 50% of people who develop ARF recover completely. Some may have only partial recovery and others may require long term dialysis.

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I am Prabhakar Chaudhary, I want to ask question about my sister 36 years old admitted in hospital due to ARF[Acute Renal Failure] her creatinine level is 2.7,blood urea 71 and BUN 45(She was suffering from Microscopic PAN from 28 Janaury 2013 now she is recovered but Kidney not functioning properly for last two months. Doctor's told me, she is dependent on hemodialysis. Kindly advice to cure it.pra5020 Monday, April 8, 2013

I am Ramakrishnan, I want to ask some questions about my nephew 15 Years old boy admitted hospital due to ARF. His creatinine level was 5.5 and took dialyses and started medicine. The doctor recommended for 3 weeks medicine and after he will be cured.
Doctor, will it be cured such diseases and what is reason for such problemRamakrishnan Friday, August 3, 2012

My father aged 70 is running high creatinine [2.6 against a normal value of 1.4] and potassium (6 against a normal value of 5). He had been a patient of high blood pressure and Sugar for the last 10 years. Is it an indication of Acute Renal Failure? He is to undergo USG of Kidney, BUN, Lipid Profile and Urine RE tomorrow.
Can he be cured?Biswa1206 Friday, February 24, 2012

i already had A.R.F, followed by my pregnency, on 25th may 2010. i was on dylises also. i lost my baby, but i want to hav a baby again. is is possible to have a baby without having ARF? i am really wanting to have a baby but the doctors say its a high rick to my life again, but can to please tell me how medically i can carry the pregnancy or its not possible. pleaze reply as early as possible. thank you.Feona Thursday, October 21, 2010

Having Developed ARF during pregnancy does increase your chance of having renal problem during your subsequent pregnancy but under good care you of a nephrologist it can be managed well. details would be required about your previous pregnancy to get a full picture of etilogy of ARF.Drsanjeevbehura Wednesday, April 13, 2011

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